FIGHT BEGINS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 7

FIGHT BEGINS.

GRAVE PEARS.

WORK CEASES IX IRON TRADE* N.S.W. HOURS DISPUTE. 20,000 MEN WILL BE IDLE. (BT CABLC—FBXSB ASSOCIATION'—OOPTRIQHT.) (AUSTBALIAV AST) K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 2. The oonllict between the employers and the unions In the Iron trades, over the forty-eight hour waek and tho Federal awards, began to-day. It Is estimated that 500 engineering workshops In the State, employing 20,000 men, will be thrown idle. The whole of the men concerned were dismissed at tho Clyde ''works, where 800 engineers, boiler-makers, ironworkers, and moulders absented themselves, but members of the Engine Drivers' and Firemens' Unions turned up ready to work on the forty-eight hours basis.. ANOTHER ESTIMATE. (AUSTRALIAN Alt I) U.S. ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 2. It is estimated that between 30,000 and 40,000 employees in the engineering shops of the State will be rendered idle to-morrow if the employers carry into effect their decision to discharge employees who refuse to work forty-eight hours a week.

GOVERNMENT'S POSITION (AnSTBALUU ARB H.Z. CAMS ASSOCIATION.) SYDNEY, May L 11 the employees of the New South Wales metal trade carry out their threat not to woric on Saturday, 40,000 will be out. The State Government takes a serious view of the trouble in the coalfields. Ministers fear the trouble threatened by Federal unions respecting the 44-hours week may lead to grave consequences. The Minister for Labour, Mr J. M. Baddeley, who is in Newcastle, has been urgently summoned to Sydney in order to be present if any Serious development occurs. It is stated in Ministerial circles that it is doubtful whether the Government could intervene effectively in the disputes, as both aTe concerned with Federal unions. Mr Myhill, secretary of the Metal Trades Employers' Association, announced that he has been officially informed by Mr Pinkerton, district secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Association, that the Federal Executive of the union has

decided to instruct its members to work 48 hours a week in the terms of the Federal award. I Mr Atkins, State secretary of the Association, said that it shonld not be inferred from this decision that the Association was not in sympathy with the 44-hours' week principle. As a matter of fact, an application is now before the Federal Arbitration Court for a variation of the Association's award to provide for the 44-hours week. \ Mr J. S. Garden, commenting on the refusal of Mr Bruce to convene a conference to diseuso the 44-hours' week, said that if an occurred Mr Bruce would have to shoulder the responsibility. It cot(!d not be said that he had not been given an opportunity to avert an industrial crisis.

SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS. UNIONISTS THROW OUT CHALLENGE.

(Beceived May 2nd, 11.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 2. As regards the forty-four hour trouble, a big industrial upheaval appears certain, the men in the affected unions having yesterday thrown down the gauntlet by failing to present themselves at' work, despite the employers' decision to dismiss them if they failed to work on Saturday. They will have to face the consequences. ■> J The employers decline to discuss their plans beyond stating that they are fully determined to put their decision iutoj operation when the men, in accordance with instructions from the union secretaries, report for duty ou Monday morning.

A number of other unions uuder the Federal awards not so far affected are; likely to become involved, and directly and indirectly the outlook is very serioue. Meetings of a number of unions yesterday and to-day endorsed the action of the men. To-morrow morning the officials of all Foderally registered unions meet to consider the position as it then stands, and important developments are likely as the result of the gathering.

ARBITRATION COURT. FULL JUDICIAL POWER.

(Received May 3rd, 12:35 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 2. Mr Bruce, referring to the industrial trouble, announced that «arly in the coming Federal session, legislation will be introduced to reconstitute the Federal Arbitration Court, giving it full judicial power. Provision will be made to enable the question of a uniforjn working week to be dealt with. He added that the Court shpuW bo ready to start enquiry as soon as the parties were ready, and he trusted that no harmful aptios be tjilcen in j&e jn§a?tiuis«